By Ali Mohammed Khan
JEDDAH — The third week of the Al-Miawiah Jeddah Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament witnessed some nail-biting matches.
First it was Kingdom CC which made a mess of a superb bowling effort as it surrendered to a belligerent batting performance from Zaki who single-handedly took KSA Green to a fine win. With 18 runs required to win off the last 2 overs in a low scoring encounter and with only the lower order to support him, Zaki along with Ansar scored 17 runs in the penultimate over before hitting the first ball of the next over for a boundary to cap a tremendous comeback victory.
Later on, it was host Azizia Deccan Avengers which while batting first in its first match of the tournament let the initiative slip off after a superb start. From a position of dominance after having scored 85 off the first 10 overs with Mateen scoring a superlative 38 off 22 balls, they let themselves down by being bowled out for a mere 110. In reply, Spark XI never looked in trouble as it achieved the target with 5 wickets to spare.
In another dramatic encounter, Gulbarga CT lost to Gulf West by 2 runs after its last batting pair suffered a brain-freeze going for a non-existent fourth run, only to be bowled out with 2 more balls to spare.
The tournament is being organized by team Azizia Deccan in association with Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The title sponsor is Al Miawiah, while Al-Salem York, Co-sponsored by Aqualite, Clas, G21 Optics and Intalaka Group are the co-sponsors.
Scores in brief:
United Carton CC 123 all out 14.4 overs (Shiva Reddy 55, Bal Bahadur 42; Nadeem 3-13) beat Super Chargers 99-8 (Azam 23, B. Shoban 3-7). Man of the Match: Shiva Reddy.
Bhatkal CA Jeddah 126-5 (salman 26; Tajudeen 1-15) beat Prime XI 107-6 (Sulaiman 48; Shabaz Kola 2-27).
Man of the Match: Shahbaz Kola.
York Chargers 91-6 (Omar 40; Zoheb 2-12) lost to Hyderabad Royals 95-2 11.4 overs (Nadeem 29, Zoheb 28; Parvez 2-21). Man of the Match: Zoheb.
Bugshan Hospital 113-8 (Jathin 45; Atiq 2-9) lost to KSA Blue 115-3 11.3 overs (Shaik Irfan 41; Sajeer 2-15). Man of the Match: Shaik Irfan.
KSA Red 206-6 (Basheer 50 not out; Nizam 2-29) beat AD Smashers 105-6 (Nizam 25 not out; Basheer 2-13). Man of the Match: Basheer.
Kingdom Cricket Club 95-8 (Taj Junaid 27; Zubair 3-18) lost to KSA Green 99-6 (Zaki 44not out; Salman 2.15). Man of the Match: Zaki.
Independence CC 134-7 (Faraz 38; Asel 2-21) beat Mangalore Friends 65 all out 12.5 overs (Sirah 16; Toufeeq 5-13). Man of the Match: Toufeeq.
Gulf West 110 all out 14.1 overs (Imran 48; Yaser 3-7) beat Gulbarga Cricket Team 108 all out 14.4 overs (Yaser 27; Noushad 3-11). Man of the Match: Imran.
IOE 147-9 (Qasim 35; Sami 2-17) beat Elite CC 74 all out (Mohammed 36; Tabrez 3-5). Man of the Match: Tabrez.
Jeddah Gladiators 101-8 (Afsar 29; Azeem Uddin 3-15) beat Kings XI Hyderabad 92-8 (Imran khan 42; Hamza 3-14). Man of the Match: Afsar.
Barkatiya 11 — 90 all out 15 overs (Mubeen 33; Osman 4-20) lost to Reliance 93-2 11.3 overs (Osman 37 not out; Meraj 1-17). Man of the Match: Osman.
AD Avengers 110 all out in 14.4 overs (Mateen 38; Rizwan 5-11) lost to Spark XI 111-5 14.4 overs (Kashif 27; Irshad 2-17). Man of the Match: Rizwan.
